Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
My boiled egg sat in my breakfast plate waiting for me to sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Last night’s dishes glared at me from the sink reminding me that I had not taken care of them after a long day as a teacher. I filled my daughter’s water bottle with ice and water, heated sausages for her breakfast and watched as she packed her bookbag.
I have been making breakfast for her for 17 years, but now she only has one more semester left of high school. Spending time with her before she leaves to go into the world and drive herself to school has become one of my favorite times of the day.
My own shower could wait so that I could run down my stairs, prepare my child’s breakfast and lunch then talk with her about how she was doing. I wanted to grab hold of those precious moments. The only thing that seemed certain was that she would soon be off to college where she’d visit a cafeteria on campus for nourishment instead of being cared for by me each morning.
Since she had started driving herself to school for the past year, I felt compelled to wake up earlier so that I could help her morning go smoothly. I felt a bit nervous about her leaving each day for school as a new driver so I wanted her to not feel rushed to eat, prepare lunch and get out the door on time for her early start school.
Why was I feeling so nervous? I think it had to do with my role as a Momma Bear whose little cub was transforming into a driver and a future college student. Of course, by now I know that change is a constant in this world, but I am not always okay with a chapter ending or a new one beginning.
Oh, how I love the morning moments with my girl. I love getting to talk with her and give her that final hug and kiss before she leaves for school. Recently, as I watched her pull out of our driveway and wave back at me, I closed the front door and let out a long sigh then remembered a truth that wedged into my tender heart.
These moments are a part of me and will forever be.
I have kept most every piece of art, special dresses, shirts, stuffed animals and sweet hand written notes from my daughter which I had just viewed in our attic recently. I have those treasured momentos in boxes, but I have them also in my heart. These moments are the finishing threads that are weaving themselves into a tapestry in my mind as a way of finishing strong before she becomes a young adult. Just like the tangible pieces of her past are gathered and preserved in boxes, my moments with her are also etched into my mind.
As I walked back to pick up my fork and eat my cold egg, tears puddled under my eyes. Will I miss the daily interactions in the kitchen early in the morning once she goes off to college? Yes. Will I always have the moments as a memory? Yes.
I began thinking about another mom I know who loved to ponder and store in her heart some special moments that happened in her child’s life. Mary, the mother of Jesus, had been chosen to walk a motherhood journey with the Son of God who had been placed in her miraculously. I can just imagine how excited, a bit nervous and a lot scared that she and Joseph probably were to know that they had been entrusted to be the parents of Jesus. Once they had both been visited by an angel, the euphoria of those moments lingered with them. They had to walk in faith to see this pregnancy happen.
When the shepherds came to visit new born baby Jesus who was lying in a manger, they shared the story of the heavenly host that had appeared to them while they were watching their sheep. These angels proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill to men.” After the visit from the shepherds, the Bible tells us that Mary “treasured these things and pondered them in her heart”.
Mary’s new son’s life had just begun when shepherds showed up to see the child and testify of an angelic choir. Mary loved to treasure and think about the specific details of Jesus’ birth that became a part of her for always. I’m sure that as she heard the confirmations of the angels singing Glory to God, peace began to settle in her heart on earth.
Perhaps it’s time for the peace that passes all understanding to settle into my heart about my child’s future. I trust in the same God who worked out all the details for Mary and Joseph so I know he will work it out for good in my child’s life. The place of Jesus’ birth was probably not what his parents had pictured, but nevertheless, it was a part of the grand plan.
Our daughter’s final high school semester and college experience won’t look the way that mine looked. It is shaping up to be her own story with her being in her high school’s musical production which will require long hours of after school rehearsals. In addition, she will be finishing her school courses, practicing for a piano Senior Recital while also taking three dance classes, a voice class and piano lessons.
Each morning of her Senior Year has become a time for me to pause and pray for her, for her safety, for her future and for her present. Just as the angels sang out on the night of Jesus’ birth, I can also proclaim Bible verses that will help me ponder the provision of God such as Phillipians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I am not wanting to let go just yet but am processing the last part of her 12th grade year by conversing with and praying over her each morning, after school and any chance I can get. We are praying for our child to know which college is right for her and trusting the promises of God. We dedicated her to God as a baby, trained her to the best of our ability, nurtured a love for Jesus in her heart, prayed with her, read and discussed the Bible with her and taken her to church. I know that God entrusted us with her and will keep her throughout all the days of her life.
Our hearts need to proclaim the truth in God’s word when uncertainty can cause anxious thoughts. We will find that as we recognize the words of the Lord to us, we can treasure them, think on them and let the calm settle on us. If Mary kept thinking about all the ways that God had orchestrated the details of her son’s birth, then I can also think about how God has kept us and will continue to lead my daughter.
We can release our worries to the God who organizes the details, who prepares the road ahead and settles the nerves of us Momma and Papa Bears. As our Savior, He will keep us in perfect peace as we keep our minds on His truth. Let us be quick to pray and remember his faithfulness while embracing the truth in His word.
Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for your faithfulness through each stage of our lives. You have woven together our special memories and are helping us as we launch into a new season. Forgive me for my anxious thoughts. You are the peace that I so long to have. I pray that my heart would be so connected to you that I would be quick to receive your peace. I give you my request to take care of every detail of this last semester and provide wisdom needed for my child, my husband and me as we walk into the new season of college. Thank you in advance for guarding our hearts with your peace. I treasure my moments with my daughter and thank you for all of them. The memories that we have are priceless. I am looking forward to the new experiences that await her and for her to continue to pursue you and love you all the days of her life. In the strong and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Isiah 26:3
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” ESV
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
